Renaissances

This IMDb synopsis is accurate and a good starting point: Billionaire Damian Hale has terminal cancer. He turns to a radical medical procedure called "shedding," in which his consciousness is transferred to a healthy body. After the procedure, Damian, now called Edward, starts a new life in New Orleans but is plagued by disturbing images. When he delves into Edward's mysterious origin, he learns that some will kill to keep it secret.

My buddy and I, both long time film buffs of multi-genres yearn for decent sci-fi thrillers that are well written and directed, leave us guessing here and there via plot twists and turns, includes necessary action, murder and mayhem and a credible Mr. Evil. This film delivers 116 minutes of story, acting, production value and pure cinema sci-fi thrilling FUN.

We were both thumbs-up entertained by one of Ryan Reynolds best efforts plus a fine supporting cast including Mr. Evil (Albright). Our usual post film discussion of plot holes was minimal given the original, well crafted screenplay. That is not to say we did not suspend belief as is the case with many of our best action/Sci-Fi films. A major section of the film, with some of its best action sequences, reminded me of my favorite scenes in Bourne Legacy.

With all the above said there was yet room for disturbed, romantic relationships and one cute kid spitting out all her needed lines.

Production value gives us some fun shots of New Orleans, area mansions and a finale 'home' in a spectacular locale.

There have been so many mind invasion/transfer films that our expectations for something original with thrills, excitement and pathos were low. We left the theater smiling for the simple reason that we were both thoroughly entertained.

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.

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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Damian(Ben Kingsley) a self made billionaire discovers he is dying, and does have much longer to live, discovers a secret facility that can transfer his soul into a younger body(Ryan Reynolds), when the transfer is a success, Damian really begins to enjoy his new life in his new body, but soon realizes that his new life will have a price to pay.

I'm surprised that I liked this, I went expecting this to be bad, but I was amazed on how intriguing it kept me. It shows on we deal with dying and immortality, and things we must learn to face in life. Ben Kingsley was good, and Ryan Reynolds really surprised me. Matthew Goode was incredible. It does have some good action scenes, and great sci-fi element. Everybody gives a good performance here, and it does what sci-fi should do, kept you intrigue.