After Earth

"Danger is Real…Fear is a Choice."

This highly anticipated film brought to you by director M. Night Shyamalan (known best for 'Then Sixth Sense) and starring father-son duo Will and Jaden Smith was high on my list of films to see this year. I'd been keeping my eyes on the reviews (all of which rang poor) knowing that I would want to see and review myself because the media and world ultimately have nothing good to say.

Story by Will Smith and adapted into screenplay by M. Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitta, this film had all the makings for success. Not to mention the star names producing and lending their talent for this $130 million USD budget. Sophie Okonedo and Zoe Kravitz also had memorable roles as mother and daughter respectively. However, despite good story, great actors and big budget, they still failed at the box-office grossing only $60 million USD back.

With a run-time of 100 minutes and great pacing, cinematography, CGI and acting, I have to say that the what made this film's downfall is that there were too many elements that were already done before. It was very reminiscent of the 'Star Wars', 'Star Trek' films and after Hollywood already revived it's one millionth classic 'Star Trek', it was not what audiences around the world were looking forward to.

The lessons in this film were pristine and necessary, teaching us to be soldiers of strength, truth, and that fear has no place among the great. The majority of the film was mainly Will Smith and his son and although I am proud of them and in awe of their accomplishments, I think that $130 million USD could have been used a little better to make bold differences and something a bit more fresh to bring to the world. Sometimes keeping it simple is best.

Devil

Pleasantly surprised and thoroughly pleased with the latest addition of  an M. Night Shyamalan collaboration. Reaching world recognition after writing and directing his third and groundbreaking film ‘The Sixth Sense’; the film critics hounded Shymalan’s every move. Many were ‘let-downs’ and missed that extra glint of greatness, but he still had pivoted into a house-hold name. 2010’s ‘Devil’ was really a clever idea of telling an age-old tale of good and evil with a modern and terrifying twist.

Written by M. Night but directed this time by John Erick Dowdle the story-line was well adapted to screen with great pacing, transitions and plenty of chilling  moments on account to the un-expected entrapment and vulnerability of our main characters. Chris Messina whom has been taking film and television by storm, Logan Marshall-Green, Yugoslavian Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem Woodbine, Geoffrey Arend and solid actress Jenny O’Hara all team up to accomplish a bloodcurdling but inspirational tale.

This horror-mystery-thriller cost an estimated $10 million USD to make and grossed $62 million USD world-wide which isn’t at all bad with few main characters, in a solid 4 locations. Mexican Jacob Vargas who played ‘Ramirez’ provided great wonderment and faith by his narration and wisdom in the midst of unfolding chaos.

I felt it was an excellent scary movie with brilliant story; just enough facts, and nail-bitingly good moments! J I’ve already never been fond of elevators – well this just peaks that uneasiness a tiny bit more!