How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Although I wasn't crazy about How to Train Your Dragon 2 —don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it, it just didn't live up to How to Train Your Dragon, in my opinion— I was still looking forward to seeing How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World as it is the final chapter of the trilogy. 

In this final entry, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and the other Vikings continue to rescue captured dragons and bring them to Berk. Hiccup's efforts to free the dragons, however, has made him a target for other warlords and Vikings, and pretty soon he and his people are forced to face an infamous dragon hunter (F. Murray Abraham) who uses a female Light Fury as bait to capture Toothless and plans on turning him against his friends. 

The plot is really interesting at first but unfortunately, as it develops, there are so many plot holes and inconsistencies with the previous films, that it's difficult to enjoy it. It doesn't help either that the story never reaches the depth and complexity of the first film, at times it so boring and dull, I lost completely my interest, and it's flat on emotions and drama. 

The characters, on the other hand, are nicely done. Not only they are still very likeable and therefore you care about them, but they have given more depth and development, especially the supporting characters who no longer have only a single trait to differentiate one from another —it's too bad most of these characters don't add anything to the story. The villain, unfortunately, is quite a disappointment as he's never as menacing and smart as he's said to be. The voice cast does a pretty good job though, even F. Murray Abraham who plays the weak villain.

The humour is also a bit of a letdown. While there still are some funny moments and jokes, most of the film's comedy is one-liners and jokes able to entertain only a kid. Sure, the film targets kids, but the filmmakers should have taken more into consideration the adults that watch the movie along with the kids.

Universal Pictures

The best aspect of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, as well as the only aspect of the film that doesn't even come close at being a disappointment, is the animation. Just like its predecessors, this third film of the series looks stunning —from facial expressions to movements to textures, the animation is top notch.

Hateship Loveship (2013)

Hateship Loveship is yet another of those movies that has been on my watchlist for such a long time I forgot everything about it, even the reason I was interested in seeing it —it was Guy Pierce, as it turned out.

Based on a short story from Nobel winning author Alice Munro, the film follows Johanna Parry (Kristen Wiig), a middle-aged repressed caregiver after she is hired by an elderly man, Mr. McCauley (Nick Nolte), who needs help in the house and to watch over his teenage granddaughter, Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld), who lives there since her mother was killed in a car accident blamed on her irresponsible father, Ken (Guy Pearce), who lives in a motel in Chicago. During one of his visits, Ken meets Johanna and leaves her a friendly note. She writes a reply, Sabitha and her best friend Edith (Sami Gayle) pen fake love letter from Ken and Johanna is led to believe Ken has feelings for her.

Hateship Loveship’s is a very simple story about real people whose realism makes it difficult to watch at times. It’s a weird one too as it manages to be compelling and dull at the same time; it unfolds at a dramatically slow pace —which is why it feels dragged at times— and yet there are parts of the story that feel rushed, specifically the romance which I never really bought as it feels more like a wish-fulfilment kind of story rather than an actual love story. As for the subplots, they kind of ends abruptly.

The characters are a bit odd too as they are quite unlikeable and difficult to relate to but eventually, they become interesting enough for you to keep watching. Johanna is an awkward woman with no social skills whatsoever; she is the kind of person who finds happiness in helping others; she understands that she has very limited skills but she tries to be as helpful as she can be with the little she can do. She is a very vulnerable woman and yet she displays so little emotions and has a constant blank expression that make her appear like a robot. On top of that, Wiig’s performance isn’t the most compelling as she doesn’t really capture the nuances of the character but rather plays the character she always plays only with a straight, serious face.

IFC Entertainment

At least the supporting cast gives compelling performances. Guy Pearce gives such a sensible and believable performance as Ken, the struggling recovering addict, and manages to be incredibly charming and off-putting at the same time. Nick Nolte also gives a strong performance as Mr. McCauley, the wounded grandfather, and Hailee Steinfeld does well as the rebellious teenage girl.

Ultimately, I’m not sure how I feel about Hateship Loveship as I didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either –I guess I’m on the neutralship. I did, however, like Liza Johnson’s approach to the characters’ emotions: teenage angst being the exception, they all are handles with softened, without making a big deal of everything, which is how a normal person would face the same situations in real life. 

MUST WATCH: First Trailer And Intro Clip for Matt Damon's THE MARTIAN

I've read the book guys and this trailer seems to indicate that the original story is fairly intact and that is great news, because the book rocked. And it's directed by Ridley Scott - so there's THAT.

Watch the trailer - this is a huge personal survival story in the harshest of climates - Mars. The additional video clip introduces the crew of the Hermes to us in an affable manner as well - so far the marketing for the movie has been intelligent and at a human level; perfect for the story. Trust me, if they keep to the book (and they should, it was a best seller), then this movie will definitely take off.

Here's the movie's storyline:
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.

THE MARTIAN takes off on November 25.

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