Renaissances

I would actually give this title a nine if I myself were being biased, and I can be because it's a rarity that I make it to the movies anymore. I get pretty excited when I see something that I actually care about and this was quite entertaining for me..most movies are relevant to in different ways, so take that for what it's worth. I'm a movie lover. I saw this film with the hopeful intention of walking away with a little bit of a Born Identity kind of feel, something considered to be at least surface entertainment and I was not disappointed and that is an understatement. The action and story opener with Ben Kingsley as the main protagonist was well executed, as was the claustrophobia inducing transformation into Ryan Reynolds. One of the things I was actually worried about from the preview wasn't even about the content of the film but more how under the radar that I felt it would be in the public eye. Ryan Reynolds is not by any means a bad actor and that's his problem, with something so serious and Sci-Fi oriented we're almost reluctant to even approach his ability to draw you in. We see his films and usually know what to expect because he's so likable. Ever since Waiting he's been hard to avoid, but nothing about his roles offer anything compelling and that's not really his fault. I respect his quest for versatility..I really enjoy his role in this movie, actually..the things that are great about this movie really sparkle.. I have to say the best part about this for me would have to be the directing and the Music..my God, they really pulled of some wonderful suspense...some moments made my skin crawl..they utilize an almost Hans Zimmer technique likened to Joker's theme song in the Dark Knight but it doesn't feel rehashed. It's a thoughtful cerebral thriller with the fat trimmed away, it doesn't linger in too many places..the pacing was great. There was not a boring moment and in fact most of it had me cheering, mentally. I even like the ending, thought it was beautiful. The only thing that bothered me was the closing shot of the film, it was so simplistic that it was almost like man...dude, you could have had a classic on your hands, most may not take it to that level but I promise that it's at least likable to anybody. I loved this movie, it had great potential and totally delivered the goods. Every punch, every nuance counted and reminded me that the action genre still has the chance to break some ground.

Like the previous year, the 2015 was also considered the year of sci-fi in the film world. Plenty of large and small scale flicks came out and among them I was eagerly waiting for this one. If the story is what you always prefer with a fine production quality, then this film won't disappoint you. The performances were also well supported. Then what was this film's issue?

The last time widely accepted movie by Tarsem Singh was when he engaged in the screenplay development. After that he did not see much success where all his directed ones were written by others. My perception is that he must do those both department where he's good at it. Take this film as an example, an awesome story and had a good cast, but the writing was let down according to many who saw it.

Even in the short period of appearance, Ben Kingsley's role's legacy carried out till the end, because the concept was designed like that way. Being one of the top actors, Ryan Reylands films are not that celebratable. Though he's doing a decent flicks often and those were failing to recognise in the higher level, which did not spare this one as well.

People are comparing it to 'Face/off', but to me it looked more like coming together of 'The Island' and 'Skeleton Key'. Whatever it is I had a good time. Not a fresh concept of an idea, but narrated differently and it needed a bit depth in showcasing everything in the film.

My formula/secret for watching a movie successfully even it considered as an average or worse is, I won't bother for all the departments come together to become a well crafted product like the critics expect, because I'm a movie fanatic and love watching them almost most of the time than arguing about its flawed contents. If I find anything solely interesting like acting, music, story, visuals, I respect the efforts. So do I to this one and believe me it is much better than what the critics say so.

7/10

'SELF/LESS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A sci-fi thriller/action flick starring Ryan Reynolds and Ben Kingsley. The story revolves around a dying businessman who has his consciousness transferred into the body of a younger, and much healthier, man. It was directed by Tarsem Singh (the man also responsible for the popular 2000 horror flick 'THE CELL') and written by David and Àlex Pastor. The movie also stars Matthew Goode, Natalie Martinez, Derek Luke and Victor Garber. The filmmakers do very little with their interesting ideas; but they do deliver a fun, and stylistically thrilling, action flick.

Kingsley plays Damian, a wealthy, and very successful, businessman; who's dying from cancer. A secret, groundbreaking, science organization offers to give him a new body; to extend his life. After going through with the procedure Damian is thrilled with his newfound youth, and very physically fit body, but he quickly learns that his happiness came at the expense of someone else's (the man who's body he took). Damian feels extremely guilty for taking another man's life from him, and he wants to set things right. The special organization will stop at nothing though, to protect their business.

The movie starts out as a pretty intriguing science-fiction thriller; similar movies have been done before but it did seem somewhat fresh and unique. It doesn't really develop into much though, as it prefers to entertain it's audience with stylistically cool action scenes; instead of story and character development. Singh is a very visually satisfying director to watch though, and I really like the dark style and mood of this movie. It's hard to give it credit for a lot more than that; but it is an entertaining, and somewhat thrilling, action flick.

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This film tells the story of a real estate tycoon who is terminally ill. He undergoes a procedure that transplants his mind into a new body, which continues his life in a different way. Yet, when he experiences unfamiliar flashbacks, he decides to investigate the origins of these intrusive memories.

The plot examines what it is like if there are mind transplants, and it does so very well. It provokes much debate towards the ethical issues on this controversial procedure. During this process, there is much adventure, including thrilling cat and mouse chases and lots of combats. It blends science fiction and action thriller very well together, captivating my attention and making me on edge very often. I really enjoyed it.

There are certain things that men (or women for that case) should not mess with. As in what nature is giving or taking away from us. The movie might make a case of that, if you want to look at it that way. It's Science Fiction alright, but it does have a moral core in it, that you'll either like or dismiss.

Whatever the case, I'm sure many like the general idea of the movie, and because it is a "secret", this could actually be going on right now. But whatever you believe (or not), this will challenge some of your views, for better or worse. It might be very easy to see where this is going, but it's still a ride worth taking (especially if you're fond of the genre)