elgichuhi Reviews

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)

Unnecessary

[5/10 · 25 November 2017]

The Mummy Returns lacks what made the previous entries enjoyable.Director Stephen Sommers who reminded you nit to take the movie too seriously.Rob Cohen's direction is too serious for a movie about an ancient mummy that comes to life and wrecks havoc for a really vague purpose

Rachel Weisz,she was the heart of these movies and had great chemistry with Fraser that made you root for them in whatever silly situation they were in. Her Presence is really noticeable. There's a scene where her replacement tries to seduce Fraser's character and he falls asleep.You get the feeling she is trying too hard

The thing that makes this sequel is because its trying too hard to be so many things.It tries too borrow the father son dynamic from Indiana Jones 3 without understanding what made work.It rehashes the plot if the previous entries without improving on it and lacking their charm but HEY its better than the misfire that was (MUMMY 2017)

Hercules (I) (2014)

Average

[5/10 · 23 November 2017]

It isn't good.It isn't bad.It is just kind of there in the middle.The Rock as Hercules is genius casting because apart from looking the part he is one of the most charismatic actors working today and that's just about it. The movie never really sticks the landing with it's story and never gets you emotionally attached to its characters.If you looking for a Hercules adaptation you could do worse *coughs* (legend of hercules more like legend of abominational filmmaking Im I right?)

The Returned (2012–2015)

Melancholic Without Being Depressing

[10/10 · 14 November 2017]

Les Revenants is a French show that I've been hearing a lot about but didn't think to check out until now. Calling it a zombie show wouldn't do it justice cause its a much deeper and thoughtful show than that.

What we have come to expect of the zombie genre is an apocalypse people on the run trying to survive.'In Les Revenants however people who have lost their loved ones wake up one day to them(loved ones) coming back to life,one by one.

That sounds like a trip to boredom but the writers and directors find a way to engage you through well realised characters and creating a beautiful and melodic atmosphere. The French auteur theory put a lot of emphasis on style over substance due to believing a movie is solely dependent on the director

In Les Revenants Im glad to see the two blend well together to create something unique,engaging and interesting.

The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)

Dumb Dumb Theory

[1/10 · 13 November 2017]

It really puzzles me how good sitcoms get cancelled and few people discover them later on.How big bang theory has gone on for 11 seasons yet it caters to the least common denominator is an even huger puzzle.

The characters were caricatures when it first began but now they are just items.The characters are misgonystic,lack any ounce of human decency and are really stilted .They are merely instruments for spouting insults and dumb jokes.

If you like sitcoms with real characters.Where the humor comes from characters and not laugh tracks,then please for the love of God find something else.

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Refreshing

[9/10 · 12 November 2017]

Most rom-coms fill clichéd ,youve seen that before,there's no originality that goes in them.Just recycling something that worked before.

That's where Crazy Stupid love comes in that is not only dares to be different but cares for its characters and I suspect that is why a lot of the talented cast signed up for it.

Steven Carell is charming perfect and I think this might his best role yet.The rest of the cast is equally amazing

The dialogue is also well written and has a theme underneath all the laughs.That being said its not a perfect movie,but it is a really enjoyable and refreshing watch.

Batman (1989)

Its fine

[7/10 · 12 November 2017]

Tim Burton is a great visual artist and it really shows in this movie.Everything looks stunning,Gotham City has never looked better The jokers make up is menacing and goofy at the same time.The bat gadgets and mobile are everything you could ever ask for.

The director also knows how to get a great performance from his actors.As little time as Keaton is under-served he truly shines in the role of Bruce Wayne as do Kim Basigner and others in their respective roles.

That being said where the movie fails is in getting you to care about this characters.Joker has more screen-time than batman and after while you get tired of him,too.I don't get Bruce Wayne's motivation,sure his parents got murdered in an ally but that doesn't really clue me in his psyche.The relationship between Vicky Vale and Bruce feels forced and has to be here for the sake of it.

Tim Burton weakness has always been as a storyteller but when he gets the right script,his ideas really shine .Edward Scissor Hands comes into mind

With all the problems I have with this film,its at times an enjoyable watch and had a huge impact to the industry.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)

Now This is all a story about how I fell in love with a show..

[10/10 · 10 November 2017]

I believe everyone born in the 90s or has seen Fresh Prince can rap along to that catchy song.

What set Fresh Prince apart from it's peers is that as much as it was full of laughs,it that it took it characters seriously.At times it even got heartbreaking like the time Will reunited with his Father only to loose him.

It also wasn't afraid to address the issues that the black community faces,and still do.

Overall Fresh Prince is like your favorite song that you can't help but dance along to whenever it's on.

Power Rangers (2017)

Mowww

[4/10 · 10 November 2017]

There is a good movie somewhere here but it gets drowned in poor storytelling .Seriously its as if someone stumbled upon Blake Snyder's screen writing book that states there should be a training phase in the second act,but to stand out the screenwriter extended the training phase all the way to the third act

There is also some really poor direction,the camera moves with no purpose and that's how I felt about the whole movie.

Superhero movies are at their peak right now and Power Rangers had the chance to be something different but instead its a shallow and unapologetic product placement.Here's an idea watch this movie when its on a streaming service and have a shot every time Krispy Kreme is mentioned.

The only saving grace to this mess is the cast which is enthusiastic but mahn did they deserve better.

Ghostbusters (1984)

teenteeeteentee Ghostbusters

[10/10 · 10 November 2017]

I used to watch the Ghostbusters animation as a kid.I liked it but never thought much of it.Didn't stick with me unlike Johnny Quest,Scooby Doo, the epic DCAU. So when I first came upon a ghostbusters movie,I expected disappointment.Boy was I wrong.I don't think a more entertaining movie has ever been made.It is instantly and endlessly rewatchable.It has such a smart and sophisticated script that puts recent movies to shame (Pixels).The 80s was a period where filmmakers took a lot of risks,movies were made with a lot of passion and not zombies ripping off stuff that has come before and as a result we got gems like Ghostbusters,E.T,Back to The Future ,Terminator and many others.God Bless the 80s.Movies that not only wanted to entertain you but stay etched in your heart forever.

This Is Us (2016–2022)

Engaging

[10/10 · 9 November 2017]

Few shows ever quite mirror life.Most of the time movies or TV shows are "hollywoodized" to bring in a large audience.What makes This is us different is that it takes the opposite approach.It's a roller coaster of emotions you laugh with the cast,you cry with them,you cheer with them and in the end you are left with a different outlook on life or at least I was. A lot of credit should also go to the director and actors for elevating the show.

Out of Sight (1998)

Wild and imaginative

[9/10 · 4 November 2017]

After watching a lot of movies,you get the feeling you have seen it all.Once in a while you get a movie that's imaginative.It takes a great director and script to mine out the best of all the cast.George Clooney and J-Lo are at their best here,and anyone who says they can't act needs to see this.This movie hooks you right from the beginning and doesn't let go

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity

[9/10 · 2 November 2017]

So rarely does the universe align and everything fits in place for this one event.TFIOS has a great script,a director to watch out for and great performances from its cast,who all have great careers ahead of them. It might also be one of the most charming films I've ever seen .."How dare you say that about a film based on cancer" Well unlike its counterparts TFIOS actually has a brain and a heart and might just be one of the best films of the 21st century. Its not depressing but rather a story about falling in love and living each day to the fullest. Even If someone has a heart made of stone I'm sure it will be shattered as they watch this beautiful and moving story

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

Harmless Watch

[7/10 · 1 November 2017]

I went to my usual ice cream parlour,saw a new flavour of ice cream that looked really appealing and ordered it.After two bites,I realised it didn't taste as good as I thought it would .

What does all this have to do with Valerian?Glad you asked.Luc Besson has crafted a visually appealing movie and an interesting world but I wish he had also put some thought into the characters and plot.

With all my gripes with the movie I still found it enjoyable on some level and I really feel sorry for Besson he put a lot of money into an original sci-fi film in this age of reboots and sequels but it blew in his face.Maybe with a tighter script it could have at least attracted a wider audience but well never know .One thing I do know though is if I had sprinkled my ice cream with some additives it would have tasted better

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Could have been better

[7/10 · 31 October 2017]

The director who previously helmed John Wick does a good job of creating Eye popping visuals and guiding Charlize Theron (who put a lot of effort into the stunts) through her kickass character but unlike John Wick,this movie suffers from a lackluster script and halfway through I found myself not caring about the characters and the plot

The Deuce (2017–2019)

Not For Those with a short attention span

[8/10 · 24 October 2017]

The Deuce is unlike anything else on TV.Its not the most interesting show but it's quite intriguing.a lot of people will check off after a few episodes because as many people have stated "it goes nowhere".I prefer the term slow burn,it takes time to ease you into this world and get to know these characters as it explores the porn industry and how it came to fruition on the 70s.As with The Wire (though not as great as that show) David Simon is exploring something in society,that is often overlooked

Better Things (2016–2022)

A great show can hit you right in the face and you wont even know it

[9/10 · 1 October 2017]

FX has gone to great lengths to make sure every show they produce is not only entertaining but unique in a way that you feel you haven;t watched anything like it.Pamela Adlon really pours her soul out in this show.She plays a fictionalised version of herself.A struggling actress and a single mom trying to raise 3 kids on her own. It might sound like a simple premise but its executed to near perfection.It got smart comedy,great writing,great acting and really subtle portrayal of emotion.Give this one a try and I promise you won't regret it