Title: The Imitation Game
Director: Morten Tyldum
Cinematography and Acting: 5/5
Content: 4/5
Overall: 9/10

It feels like I haven't seen a movie in ages and it's been good to return to movies with a film this amazing.

Alan Turing has always fascinated me and I suppose the fact that I'm an engineer has made me identify with this movie a bit more. However, regardless of my personal interest in the history of technology, I feel like this is one of the best films I have seen.

The story is set out beautifully with flashbacks inserted into the timeline. This helps the audience really understand the loneliness and emotional distance Turing must have felt. Woven into Turing's emotional story however, is his passion to solve a puzzle. His talent and passion for this is so great that he has helped shape history. Unfortunately, a lot more people know of Taylor Swift than him. You might believe this is purely down to the usual disinterest people have when it comes to science. That may play a part of course but a far more tragic factor is also involved. He was treated disgustingly (not that many years ago) for being homosexual. Hence, this film also serves as a reminder of the tragedies in our history.

Benedict Cumberbatch's acting is incredible. He plays the role of the ostracised genius to perfection. It's probably an incredibly difficult job to portray a socially awkward person's emotional history but Cumberbatch has done it faultlessly.

Before I had seen the film, my only worry concerning the cast was Keira Knightley. I have never been the biggest fan of her acting and I was worried that her overly dramatic style could have harmed the film's overall success. I still wouldn't say she was incredible but she was significantly better than I expected and compared to Cumberbatch's shining performance, she managed to hold her own.

All in all, this was probably one of the best films of 2014 and the only reason it doesn't get a 10 is because I am incredibly reluctant to declare anything to be perfect.


*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it couldn't be used as counterfeit or pirated material.
*"The Imitation Game poster" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Imitation_Game_poster.jpg#mediaviewer/File:The_Imitation_Game_poster.jpg

I have finally decided to come up with a logical rating system. Something different to: if I like it it's a 7, if I reeaaally like it, it's an 8.5.

So I will use two different systems for films and books.

For films:

Cinematography and Acting (out of 5)
Content (out of 5)
Overall (out of 10)

For books:

Language (out of 5)
Content (out of 5)
Overall (out of 10)


In general:

1-Terrible. So bad I have struggled to read/watch the book/film. There is basically nothing good about it.
2-It's pretty bad but still readable/watchable. I didn't necessarily want to jump into the book/film and beat the characters up.
3-I liked some parts of it. Average.
4-Pretty good overall. Could've been great if not for some problems.
5-Awesome. There wasn't a single thing that was not perfect.


PS. There is a sneak peak of upcoming reviews.

Title: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Director: Dean DeBlois
Score: 7/10

Who hasn't loved How to Train Your Dragon (the original)? I was really looking forward to the sequel and thought I would be abroad and not be able to catch it on the day of release and yet I was incredibly lucky to just chance upon a preview. 

As with every sequel that comes after a much loved book/ movie, I was worried that it wouldn't be very good and that in a way it would 'ruin' the original. I needn't have worried. 

This film is heartwarming and very entertaining. I still wouldn't say I prefer the sequel to the original (unlike Despicable Me 2) but it was probably as good. 

The film really tests the strength of the relationship between Toothless and Hiccup. How much can a dragon be 'tamed' and will their instincts/ mother nature win?

With some amazing scenes, How to Train Your Dragon 2 rounds up as a sweet and very successful film despite some loopholes in the plot.

PS. I'm not entirely sure whether the generalisation 'All sequels are bound to fail' is still valid. True, Toy Story 3 seemed to be the only exception for a good long while but we've had quite a few decent ones since. I can only hope that Finding Dory will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

PS. I have also decided to come up with a logical numbering system (it seems I'm only capable of awarding 7's and 8's). This may mean a re-numbering of previous review scores.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it couldn't be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

Title: Her
Director: Spike Jonze
Score: 7/10

What makes us human? Is it our anatomy or is it the way we think? I believe most of us will reply with the latter. Spike Jonze asks us this exact question in this touching film.

The film starts with a close-up of Theodore Twombly's (acted by Joaquin Phoenix) face where it feels like he's breaking the fourth wall; he isn't, he's merely looking towards us but the effect nonetheless remains. He purchases a new operating system that has the ability of 'intuition'. She is called Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), a name she picked from a book in the second after he asked her what her name is. Samantha learns from him and she grows and changes as a personality.

They eventually start a friendship which leads on to a relationship. Theodore is an introvert and with the effect of flashbacks we are given the impression that he's an extremely lonely man seeking company in any way that he can, including having telephone sex with strangers. He starts to change with Samantha.

Eventually, both characters grow. Is Samantha becoming human or is she 'too human'?  Where does 'humanness' start and end? Her tries to answer these questions in a brilliantly acted story.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

Title: American Hustle
Director: David O. Russell
Score: 7/10

After having seen American Hustle swipe up BAFTA awards for best original screenplay and best supporting actress I had to see this film. I have to say I wasn't extremely interested when I first saw the trailer which is why I probably left it so long. It didn't seem very different and I thought it was going to be yet another funny conman-turned-good movie.

I will say this: the story is not what makes this film. I probably wasn't too wrong in that the scenario was pretty predictable and felt like we had seen it before. The characters, however, are nothing like we have ever seen before and they are what makes this film truly unique.

The acting was superb. Jennifer Lawrence was absolutely brilliant and she really deserved the best supporting actress award. She played the part of the quirky (to say the very least) wife to perfection. Amy Adams's acting was probably the weakest link, it was a bit bland with no distinguishing features.

The characters were extremely real. There were no black and white personalities. The attachment a conman has towards his first real friend and his adopted son, the extreme ambition of an FBI agent who just wants to get ahead, a man torn between two women all seemed like genuine portrayals of people.

All in all, I'm extremely glad I have watched this film as it was a brilliant combination of real-life drama and hilarity.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

The awards ceremony we had all been looking for finally took place. I wouldn't say there were any major surprises but there were a few actors and actresses that I was routing for so it was exciting to watch the awards ceremony nonetheless. I have outlined the main awards and winners below.

Best Film: 12 Years a Slave
Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Barkhad Abdi - Captain Phillips
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle
Best Original Screenplay: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell - American Hustle
Best Adapted Screenplay: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope - Philomena
Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki - Gravity

I was extremely happy to see Barkhad Abdi win best supporting actor for Captain Phillips. His acting was so remarkable that it was almost difficult to believe he wasn't an actual pirate. I believe this is an even bigger achievement considering this was his first acting role. Cate Blanchett was another one of my favourites and I was delighted to see her win best leading actress. Everytime I think acting cannot be improved, a performance like hers comes up, setting the bar even higher.

Gravity, a film I have yet to see, swiped up many awards including best director and best cinematography. American Hustle was another high performer swiping the award for best actress in a supporting role and best original screenplay among many others. I have also not seen American Hustle but that will be rectified this week.

12 Years a Slave won best film and best leading actor and featured in many nominations. I am embarrassed to admit I have also failed to see this but judging by the sheer number of awards and nominations, I am sure I won't be disappointed when I have a cinema trip soon(ish).

The awards ceremony was definitely worth watching, if not for the emotional and hilarious speeches then to simply admire Angelina Jolie's flawless skin and incredible style.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

Title: Frozen
Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Score: 8/10

Disney have produced a new film- and it has princesses. I know what you're thinking; I thought the same thing (same old, same old...). However, Frozen was a brilliant surprise. I hadn't seen the trailer and so didn't know what to expect but the film proved that Disney have now completely changed for the better.

The film starts off in typical Disney fashion: pretty princess meets handsome prince. They sing and dance in the moonlight, decide they are each other's true love, get engaged and announce this to the world. What happens next is unexpected (and realistic). 'Wait, you got engaged to someone you just met that day?' says Kristoff, a goofy guy whose best friend is his reindeer, voicing the thoughts of many.

This is only one of the things that makes this animated film extremely mature. It questions love, the types of love and the place it has in our lives as well as family and the importance of family despite the many difficulties life throws our way.

The animations itself are simplistic and beautiful making this film a delight to watch. The songs however are the real wealth of this musical. It's not often that the soundtrack of a Disney movie makes music charts but this film has managed it. The songs are beautiful independently but they also fit the film perfectly.

I believe this is a great film that will suit all audiences. It's perfect for families who are tired of the traditional sexist princess films but it's also great for adults who want to enjoy a great and fun movie.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

Title: The Wolf of Wall Street
Director: Martin Scorsese
Score: 7/10



I have been continually impressed by the product of the collaborations between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio so I had extremely high expectations of this film and I was not disappointed.

Technically speaking it was probably one of the best of Scorsese's latest movies and DiCaprio's acting was superb. I genuinely cannot think of a single actor who would make a better 'Wolf'. DiCaprio portrayed the depravity and extremity of the millionaire lifestyle with such accuracy that the audience was often left gaping in awe. This perfect acting even made the fact that an almost 40 year old DiCaprio was at times acting a 20-something Jordan Belfort forgivable.

This does not, however, mean that The Wolf of Wall Street was easy to watch. Even the sheer hilarity of the film at times couldn't soften the disturbance one felt while watching the many scenes which depicted extreme drug abuse and 'in your face' sex acts. This certainly is not a criticism directed towards the movie. If anything I believe Scorsese and DiCaprio have shown great courage in portraying a life honestly with all it's extremities. I have not personally read the autobiography on which this movie was based but from what I understand most important events were depicted in exactly the same way as the book describes them.

All in all, I highly recommend this film. Just don't make the mistake of thinking it's a light-hearted comedy you can enjoy on a Friday afternoon.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

Title: Tamam miyiz?
Director: Cagan Irmak
Score: 8.5/10

There aren't many Turkish films that make me feel sorry for the international audience for the misfortune of not being able to fully understand the emotion as some things are always lost in translation. This film is one of them.

The film shows the unlikely friendship of two men who come from two different social classes. On the one hand there is Temmuz (July) who struggles with society and his father due to his homosexuality and on the other hand is Ihsan who has the same problems due to his severe disability. The two governing relationships shown in the film are the relationships of the mothers with their sons and the friendship of Ihsan and Temmuz.

Despite all their differences Ihsan and Temmuz find common ground in the issues they have with society and their fathers and try to be complete with each other.

Cagan Irmak is one of my favourite directors as I think he has mastered the art of depicting raw emotion. The acting may almost seem a bit theatrical for non-Turkish viewers but it really conveys the behaviour of Turkish people. He was widely praised for his movie Babam ve Oglum (My Father and My Son*) although this shows that his not-as-popular films are just as well made.

Cagan Irmak is a masterpiece with soundtracks and this film was no exception. The soundtrack always served to heighten the effects of the film without being overdone. The camera work was equally exceptional-dragging the audience into the movie at times and leaving the audience as spectators at others. The acting was superb. Aras Bulut Iyinemli proved he was up to a challenge with his difficult role as Ihsan and he really succeeded. Deniz Celiloglu as Temmuz was no less inspiring. Zuhal Gencer and Sumru Yavrucuk were also exceptional supporting actresses.

Watch this movie. You will not be disappointed. It's leaps and bounds ahead of some of the more internationally acclaimed Turkish movies.

* These are not the official translations. I have just tried to translate the titles as best as I could.
* This movie poster is taken from http://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-221934/fotolar/detay/?cmediafile=21051087. It is low enough in resolution that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

Title: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Director: Peter Jackson
Score: 8/10

When I first heard that they were turning The Hobbit (a 400 page book) into three movies, I thought they were overdoing it a bit. Nevertheless, I am glad they are overdoing it.

This movie was far better than the first one which only seemed to serve as an introductory episode. The Desolation of Smaug was action-packed, hilarious at times, had a very solid storyline and was a visual spectacle (what else does anyone need from a good film?).

First of all, there are a lot of elves (the best nation of creatures in my opinion) which makes a lot of the characters beautiful to look at. There's a strong and independent female character, and there's the amazing Legolas. I had a feeling the script writers were reading my mind by this point.

The film also provides a more in-depth background of what happened to the dwarves in the past and even Gimli's father is included (who has an amazing conversation with Legolas regarding the photo of Gimli he carries on him).

Smaug himself is a visual spectacle. I had wondered how they were planning on depicting him in the film and he really didn't disappoint. The detail was spectacular (too many spectacles and spectaculars in this review). It can easily be seen that a lot of work must have gone in to create him.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this film and I believe everyone will leave it feeling slightly bewildered and significantly entertained.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.

Title: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Director: Francis Lawrence
Score: 7/10

I have just been to see this movie and I must say I was impressed. It was a marked improvement from the first movie in terms of plot and cinematography. Having read the books, I actually thought it followed the plot almost to the letter (which is rare for films based on books).

However, and this is a bit of a large however, I wasn't thrilled by the acting. We all know Jennifer Lawrence can act; we've seen her in Silver Linings Playbook, but somehow I found her acting slightly theatrical at times. The same certainly goes for Josh Hutcherson playing Peeta. Sam Claflin made a wonderful Finnick on the other hand; he was everything I expected from the character (including the good looks!). Oh and how could I forget Jena Mason? She really did make the perfect Johanna.

The film was beautifully made but I thought the soundtrack somehow felt rushed in certain scenes. For instance, Coldplay during the credits? I mean, I love a bit of Coldplay myself but that really felt random-like someone literally pressed random on their phone and Coldplay happened to blast out.

This brings me to my major problem with the film: the ending. I'm ok with cliffhangers as long as the scene is cut at the right point. Leave it too long and the ending is ruined, which is what happened here. Watching an actress look severely constipated made for a poor finale to an otherwise decent movie.

*The product artwork I use within this review is taken from Wikipedia in order to identify the subject of the review. It is low enough in resolution such that it could not be used as counterfeit or pirated material.