Kimolisa Was Here

Let me begin by saying I was split in going to watch this movie. Part of me wanted to see James McAvoy, I view him as an amazing actor and was looking forward to him playing multiple characters. But part of me didn't want to see a movie by M. Night Shyamalan.

It Started With A Love Affair

It was back in 1999, my first semester at college and I went to see a movie by myself in NYC. The movie was the Sixth Sense and I loved it. I mean tell everyone I know loved it. I held Shyamalan in high esteem because he made this thrilling, thought provoking movie and I was like


Then he disappointed me. And I truly understood the meaning of there being a thin line between love and hate. Hell, he did After Earth!! I couldn't even make it through to the middle. Woosah.

But This Is Different

So my sister drags me out of the house and we go to see this movie and at first, I'm hating the opening credits. Then the movie starts and I'm getting into it. McAvoy is amazing, be on the look out for Hedwig and et cetera. Be prepared to laugh a little, have your mind blown a little. Be ready to feel the suspense and to yell at the screen. You know there has to be at least one trusting person that you are waiting for them to be killed.

It may appear like a single narrative, but there are two going on and as the movie continues you have an understanding of the female lead and why she is what she is and how it saves her. I must say in promoting the movie it wasn't given it away and I feel like Shyamalan has come full circle. Oh, and stay for the end because you might see an unexpected character.

Why To Watch Split

If you like to watch a thriller that is beautifully crafted and has you engaged, watch this movie. If you want to see an actor do his thang, watch this movie. If you are looking to watch an M. Night Shyamalan movie and not leave the theatre feeling  lackluster, watch this movie.

Then again, this is my opinion, watch it for yourself and come to your own.

I was tempted to title this post "When a Trekkie goes to watch Star Wars" but I decided to keep it simple so I stuck to the usual. Anywhoo, last night went to see Star Wars Force Awakens and on a whole I felt "meh". First things first,

The premise

Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. When a defector named Finn crash-lands on a desert planet, he meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a tough scavenger whose droid contains a top-secret map. Together, the young duo joins forces with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to make sure the Resistance receives the intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last of the Jedi Knights.

What I liked?
I liked the action, I liked the droid, I liked the villain's hair. I liked Rey's pants near the end. LOL. What can I say, it was an action packed movie with humour and a leaning towards mysticism. Was it a bad movie? No, but it didn't leave me feeling as though I saw an epic movie like I felt after watching John Wick or Her. I felt lacklustre and as though Hollywood tried to do better than the previous movies instead of making it a damn good movie.

What I didn't like?
I didn't like that they didn't explore mature love. Here is Han Solo and General Leia meeting for the first time after he skipped out on her because he couldn't handle his son going over to the dark side. Hell, Chewy (I know I spelled that wrong) gave her a hug long before Han did. And the extent of their affection was a lacklustre hug. Memo to Hollywood, old people do kiss, it's not relegated to the young.

I know I'm nitpicking on this one, but Finn should have been dead in the scene when he was caught by the rolling octopus. I'm just saying, if these things killed the bad guys on first contact but gives the brother a tour of the ship, I call foul.

As for the brother, Finn, you are a very moist person. Sorry, I couldn't help but notice when you sweated. Also there was a point where you entered the realm of Kevin Hart when it came to your humour and it didn't work for me as it pulled me out of the movie. But I must say, I've grown to like storm troopers.

In my last breath
Star Wars is for the fans, they get the little nuances of the story and love to watch the dynamic between the dark side and .... the light side? For me, I went with an open mind and enjoyed parts of it but as a whole, I would rather have watched it at the end of a Star Wars marathon on cable. Oh, and I'm nitpicking again, but I felt the intro was a bit dated. I mean I recognize it for what it was but it didn't feel like new blood. It felt like the franchise hadn't moved on but promised the same old same old. That's my take on it.

Should you watch it?
Sure, if you are into Star Wars, space opera's, intergalactic dog fights and young people coming to terms with their place in the universe. Nope, if you aren't into those things.


Image Credit: i