Mama (2013)

[a wasted horror movie]

Mama (2013)

IMDB- 6.3

RottenTomatoes- 66%

RJG Ratings- 45

2 abandoned sisters are reunited with their uncle.But things go wrong as it seems they might have brought someone with them.

Starring- Jessica Chastain

Director- Andrés Muschietti

Mama is led by Jessica Chastain ,who is on a streak of excellent performances.And she doesnt break it with Mama.Jessica's performance holds center stage even though shes playing a cliched role.The kids do an okay job.They dont connect too well with the audience.Other than these 3 ,the rest of the cast do an okay job as well.

The concept of Mama isnt too unique.A spirit protecting kids ,killing people is a formula that has been tried multiple times.The story tries to keep an air of freshness in the first half but it all collapses in the second.The second half is filled with cliches and plot holes.No thoughts are given to even rectify the most obvious plotholes.Scenes such as where a doctor goes to investigate a haunted house in the middle of the night with a flash camera is as predictable as the sunrise.The climax gets even more unbearable as it tries to wrap all the horror with a 'feel good' ending ,which really ruins the horror aspect .

Direction is below average.The second half is riddled with issues.The scare tactics were the cheap ,"pop up out of the corner and scream" type.The movie is based on a scary clip of 2 children finding a ghost in their house.This scene is adapted directly into the movie ,without bothering to apply any logic behind it.The actions of the girls now dont make any sense because in the movie they are sort of friends with the ghost.

Overall Mama had potential ,but loses it entirely in the second half.Give it a watch if you are a horror fan and have nothing else to do.

Acting- 2.5/5

Story- 2/5

Direction- 1.5/5

Horror- 3/5

Drama- 2/5

Warm Bodies makes a warm debut

Warm Bodies makes a warm debut[Feb 1-3]

#1- Warm Bodies made a strong opening (for a February release) with $19.5million.The zombie movie was strengthened by good reviews which praised its unique concept and sweetness.The movie currently has a 77%.

#2-Hansel & Gretal fell as expected and landed second with $9.2million.The fairy tale adaptation has already made $96million worldwide recovering its budget of $50million in just 2 weeks.This is impressive considering it has been getting poor reviews from both critics as well as from the audience.

#3-Silver Linings Playbook continued its strong hold with $8million.The movie has been performing quite well and has crossed $100million worldwide.

#4-Mama made $6.7million in its 3rd week.The horror movie has been staying strong and has so far made an impressive $58million domestically ,and is the 4th highest grossing horror movie in the last 5 years (overshadowed only by the first 3 Paranormal Activity movies).

#5-Even though it started strong ,Zero Dark Thirty continued its downfall making just $5.3million in the weekend.The movie was expected to easily cross the 100million mark when it first showed impressive openings in limited theaters but in the last 2 weeks ,ZDT has been losing audience steeply.The movie has made $77million domestically so far.

The curse of the Expendables continued as Sylvester Stallone's Bullet to the Head flopped.In the last couple weeks ,Expendable stars such as Arnold's Last Stand and Jason Statham's Parker flopped.Bullet to the Head turned out to be more worse than those two making just $4.5million.The movie failed to impress the critics also.It has a rating of 46%.

The Stand Up Guys was a bigger dud and failed to open even in the Top 10.The Al Pacino movie opened at #17 with barely $1.5million.With poor reviews and zero marketing ,the movie was destined to die.It has a rating of 36%.

Meanwhile ,Skyfall overtook The Dark Knight Rises to become the #7 Highest Grossing Movie Worldwide.The latest James Bond movie has made $1.093billion in 12 weeks.This is far as James Bond will go in the list as its next target is quite unattainable - Lord Of the Rings 3- $1.119billion

Next week we have 2 extreme genres opening - One a comedy and the other a crime drama.Which is my pick of the week?

Identity Theft- Im choosing the comedy movie this week.Identity Theft is directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses) and stars 2 great comedy stars ,Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) & Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids). Although it doesnt have much hopes of becoming a great comedy movie ,its trailers do look great. Identity Theft is My Pick Of The Week.

Side Effects- This is a strong movie,directed by Steven Soderbergh (Contagion ,Oceans 11 ,Che 1&2 and loads more) ,and this is also reported to be last.The movie also has a strong cast of Channing Tatum ,Rooney Mara,Jude Law & Catherine Zeta Jones.With an initial rating of 92% ,this sounds to be an excellent medical thriller.But i wasnt a fan of his earlier medical thriller,Contagion ,so ill just wait for the reviews first.But if you like thriller more than comedy ,this will be a good watch.

Witch Hunters grab the top spot

Witch Hunters grab the top spot

[Jan25-27]

#1- Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters had a easy takeover the box office ,as it debuted with $19million.This is an average debut for a $50million and its fate is yet to decided.The movie is a gritty retelling of the classic childrens-tale.But as all gritty remakes of such tales ,this too isnt no better.Critics have panned the movie and is rated at 18%.

#2-Mama slipped by 55% to make $12.8million on its second week.With that this horror movie has already made a strong $48million and can easily beat last years top grossing horror movie ,Woman In Black ,by this weekend.

#3-Silver Linings held the 3rd spot as it fell by just 7% to make $10million.Made at a budget of $21million ,the romantic movie has made a worldwide gross of $86million and is still going strong.

#4-Zero Dark Thirty has started slipping down ,as it made just $9.8million.The momentum has been dipping slowing.The movie has made $77million worldwide so far ,and is set to be director Kathryn's highest grossing movie by this week.

#5-Jason Statham starrer Parker had a very poor start with $7million.The heist movie which is like any other Jason movie ,wasnt liked by critics either.The movie got a negative 37% and the critics say this is just like any other Jason Statham movie with a poor script and even more poorer heist.The movie is expected to tank as competition grows this week.

The third new release ,Movie 43 ,flopped with just $5million.But for a movie made at a small budget of $6million,this comedy has already made its cost.Reviews have been thoroughly negative and harsh ,and is rated at 05%.

Meanwhile ,Skyfall beat up Toy Story 3 & Pirates of the Caribbean2&4 as it rose up to #8 in the highest grossing movies worldwide list.The Bond movie has made $1.077billion and is still going at a strong pace.The next in line is The Dark Knight Rises with $1.081billion ,which will be an easy takeover for Skyfall.

Hobbit Part 1 has now grossed $939million and easily took over Lord Of The Rings:Two Towers.This has been a good run by the prequel, but much of the collection is from overseas ,and Hobbit ($293million) is yet to match upto the Lord of The Rings domestic collection ($313 ,$339 ,$377 million).

As we enter February ,there are 2 new movies this week.My pick of the week will be ---

1- Warm Bodies:Warm Bodies is a zombie romantic movie.Yes, i said romance.Strange as it is ,the movie looks like a sweet comedy movie.Warm Bodies is about a zombie that falls in love with a human.This is directed by Jonathan Levine ,who earlier directed another unique movie ,50/50.

2-The other new movie is Sylvester Stallone's Bullet To the Head.So far i have zero interest in this one ,and none of the trailers have made much of an impact.The movie is based on a graphic novel about a hitman & a cop who unite to bring down a gang.So far the movie has been getting average reviews and is currently rated at 63%.

Mama beats new releases

Mama beats new releases
[Jan 18-20]

1-The horror movie ,Mama ,made the top spot with a powerful $28million debut.Made at a budget of just $15million ,Mama is already reaping profits.its also Jessica Chastain's second movie to make it to #1 consecutively ,shes already become a sought after actress and is proving that she can attract the crowds with strong ,female centered movies.

Mama is about 2 girls who are being haunted by someone after they are rescued from an abandoned house in the forest.

Reviews have been above average ,with most saying it delivers on the scares but is a bit lagging in the narrative aspect.Mama has a rating of 62%.

2-Zero Dark Thirty ,another movie led by Jessica Chastain ,made $17.6million ,bringing its worldwide total to $59million.This movie has out-grossed ,Kathryn's (the director) earlier movie ,The Hurt Locker and looks strong enough to be her most grossing movie (currently Point Break -$83million).

3-Silver Linings Playbook finally expanded its business to all theaters and made $11million to come 3rd.This brings its worldwide total to $67million.

The movie is about a 2 people who have very deep problems falling in love.The movie has been getting excellent reviews and is currently rated at 91%.I watched this movie and i found it to be nothing exceptional (Review- http://bit.ly/silinplaRJG)

4-Gangster Squad managed to hold on to the Top 5 with $9million.The action movie is not having such a great time ,with mixed reviews and a slow start at the box office ,Gangster Squad is struggling to make its budget of $60million.The movie has a worldwide total of $41.3million.

5-The second new movie of the week ,Broken City , had a poor opening as well.The movie managed to make just $9million ,which is a disappointment considering the movie stars A-listers such as Mark Wahlberg & Russel Crowe.The movie has been getting very poor reviews with many complaining about the poor script and predictability.The movie has a rotten rating of 24%.

The 3rd new movie was The Last Stand ,which is Arnold Schwarzenegger's first lead role in a decade (last one being Terminator3 in 2003).The movie made just $6million.

Although directed by acclaimed Korean director ,Kim Jee Woon (I saw the Devil) ,the reviews have been fairly mixed,with critics saying its not very unique but is a treat for Schwarzenegger fans.The movie is rated 57%.

Meanwhile ,Skyfall is now the 11th highest grossing movie with $1.034billion ,overtaking Star Wars 1 & Alice in Wonderland.The next target for Bond is Pirates of the Caribbean 4 ($1.043b)

This week ,theres a poor set of movies opening.So my pick of the week will be last weeks ,Mama.

1-Hansel and Gretel:Witch Hunters-Starring Jeremy Renner & Gemma Arterton ,this movie has been written off as a terrible movie ,judging by the concept and trailers.Gritty remakes of fairy tales have never pleased the critics so far ,and this wont either.

2-Movie 43- Starring almost the entire Hollywood's A-Listers ,Movie 43 is also directed by 12 directors.This is a comedy movie which is made up of multiple short comedy movies.Trailers have been ok ,and the movie is completely for adults.It doesnt seem too interesting either.

3-Parker-This is a Jason Statham movie.Thats the most appropriate synopsis for Parker.An action packed movie ,Parker is about a guy looking for revenge.Not too interesting or anything new.

Zero Dark Thirty makes a big surprise

Zero Dark Thirty makes a big surprise 

[Jan11-13]

1-Even though Zero Dark Thirty has been playing in limited cinemas for a couple weeks since Christmas ,it opened nationwide on the weekend.And the movie has made $24million ,which is well above all expectations.After this weeks Oscar nominations ,ZDT managed to pick 5 nominations ,and this is one of the reasons for the movies great opening.The movie has been critically praised ,and Jessica Chastain has already won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for ZDT.The movie has a rating of 93%.

2-A Haunted House made a good opening too.With $18.8 million,Haunted House came 2nd.The movie has already been given the title of the Worst movie of 2013.With a rating of just 09% ,its been universally panned.But with a budget of $2.5million ,the movie is already reaping profits.

3-Gangster Squad opened below expectations with $16.7 million.Though stylish and action packed ,the movie was said to be suffering from a weak script and poor direction.With a rating of just 34% ,the movie will drop steeply in the coming days.

4-Django Unchained managed to make just $11million on its 3rd week.With this the movie has made $125million domestically ,making it Quentin's highest grossing movie in the US.

5-Les Miserables made $10million to bring its worldwide gross to $238million.The movie might have a good hold for the next couple weeks after Huge Jackman & Anne Hathaway's win at the Golden Globes.

Hobbit 1 has now made a worldwide total of $886million ,and has overtaken Fellowship of the Ring($869million). Next in line is Two Towers with $923million.

This week we have 4 different movies.My Pick Of the Week will be---

1-Silver Linings Playbook:This movie has been running in limited cinemas for a couple of weeks and it has racked up excellent reviews.Also this is the first movie in almost 30 years to get nominated in all 4 acting categories for the Oscars.Directed by David Russell (the Fighter) ,this is a comedy/romance/drama movie and has a rating of 91%.This is RJG's PICK OF THE WEEK

2-Mama is a horror movie produced by Guillermo del Toro.The story is about 2 girls who are found in the forest after their mother was murdered.No reviews are out for this movie but after seeing the short movie on which this movie was based on ,Mama might turn out to be good.

3-Broken City features A-List Actor ,Mark Wahlberg & Russel Crowe.Directed by Allen Hughes (Book of Eli) ,this is crime thriller.This looks like a movie with nothing great to offer ,its not being promoted very well either.No reviews out yet.

4-Finally we have The Last Stand ,which is action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger's first lead movie after 2003's Terminator 3.This action movie is looking to make a big debut ,but it also looks like nothing new or innovative.No reviews out yet.