Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana

 

Zoe Saldana

The Words (2012)

A writer at the peak of his literary success discovers the steep price he must pay for stealing another man's work.

Although based on a good premise and although the three stories are skillfully intertwined, and there are some good performances, the tale becomes sentimental and finally botched by the disappointing background story rendering everything else meaningless.

I Kill Giants (2017)

Barbara Thorson struggles through life by escaping into a fantasy life of magic and monsters.

Wonderfully stirring tale of friendship and loss, embedded in child's fantasy world, convinces in all departments, especially with Madison Wolfe's powerful performance.

Star Trek: Beyond (2016)

The crew of the USS Enterprise explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy, who puts them, and everything the Federation stands for, to the test.

Entertaining and with good production value, this installment to the series is watchable, but is not quite as thrilling as the first two movies.

Out of the Furnace (2013)

When a young man mysteriously disappears and law enforcement doesn't follow through fast enough, his older brother takes matters into his own hands to find justice.

At its core a simple revenge story is heightened by excellent location cinematography and great performances throughout; Woody Harrelson is particularly efficient as a sinister low-life crook.

Maltin**: "A story that would have been exploitation-movie fodder in the 1970s is played here with a heavy hand, straining for significance. Good performances and vivid location work can only go so far."

Zoe Saldana

ph: Nino Muñoz

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

A group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe.

Basically another sci-fi actioner with a motley crew of superheroes and good effects, but made more likable by adding some humor; however, the raccoon steals the show.

Avatar (2009)

A paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.

Spellbinding ecological science fiction with great visuals and a simplistic message.

On renewed viewing: great to warch, but the White Saviour plot is still disconcerting.

Maltin***: "Innovative, futuristic fable, set in a rich computer-generated environment and populated with strikingly designed creatures...Thrilling at times, with a cornucopia of wonders to behold. Cameron's parable about imperialism too often resorts to B-movies cliches and goes on too all long, but the visual experience trumps most of its flaws."

Blood Ties (2013)

Two brothers, on either side of the law, face off over organized crime in Brooklyn during the 1970s.

A thriller with a stellar cast functions as study of a complex brotherly love/hate relationship; manages to keep one's attention, despite a large array of characters and subplots and being slightly too long.

Maltin**: "Convincingly performed all around, especially by Caan as their sickly dad, but the too-familiar setups deliver merely the expected."

Zoe Saldana

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

 

 

 

After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.

 

OK continuation of the early Star trek beginnings, rich on action and visual effects, but not quite as exciting as the first entry.

Maltin***: "High-energy follow.up...Every crisis is pitched as a life-and-death struggle, but there's never a dull moment in this entertaining popcorn picture. Plus, there's always time for some humorous banter among the diverse personalities of the U.S.S. Enterprise."

Zoe Saldana

ph: Matteo Montanari

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana