reysia

Everyone who watched Little Miss Sunshine (2006) must be having a high expectation when they are seeing the trailer or poster of Ruby Sparks. We all know how fun was made through the movie and indeed what a lovely movie it was. But comparing it with Ruby Sparks maybe a little bit miscued. Ruby Sparks convey a romantic fantasy story with less comedy but still carries a lovely input of feelings in it. Jonathan Dayton is once again directed a good display of a story.

This movie brings you to an induced feeling of how someone is given a grace to see a miracle in his life but somehow moved his feet on a wrong step, but eventually find his way back. There are a lot to learn from its story, about relationships. A real love story may be a little bit more exciting to watch but this is not bad at all. You do not really expect a magical love story these days, do you? I must say agree to Karen Durbin that it was a magical, modern day love story. Other thing, I always admire the imagination a writer has to create a story about a writer. You see, creating a writer in a story is like a layered idea. A created imagination inside imagination.

Paul Dano is simply the star of this movie. Having him again after Little Miss Sunshine was not a mistake at all. His role as a genius writer is solid and genuine. He put his best performance as a lonesome yet a brilliant tank of idea. Zoe Kazan played his role as a created girl in Calvin's life well. Interesting how they combine the character of these two casts. Not to mention the supporting roles of Chris, Annette and Antonio which give refreshing set of the story. It may not be the best love story of all but it surely is a good one.

One might expect a little bit better than Little Miss Sunshine but I must say this one is not even less in most aspects.

This is a unique action movie. The story indeed presents nothing special. The idea of soldier's family life and partners has already widely spread and made in movies since the war ended. But for me, AoV has something unique that I think most people like. It's not boring or exaggerative. One doesn't simply understand the narration since the beginning but soon it'll be understandable that this whole movie is like a letter. I'm not expecting to be moved by it but somehow I felt moved a little.

I love the camera view in combat especially the first person shooter view. It looks like games I usually play, but this time really drew me into its combat. Act of Valor are giving the typical US Navy SEAL stealth way which I think so elegant and neat. No big explosion? I thought it was very rare condition for an action movie. I guess it's because they shows stealth team and explosions are not that important.

The weak side of this movie is the dialogue. I think the dialogue scenes unfortunately made this movie less enjoyable. For example when some sudden dangerous things were about to happen, the soldiers actors were so calm and not like there is some emergency thing happens. The background music also failed to support the scene condition. That's too bad. I think this movie could have been greater.

Overall, I enjoy it and slightly recommend it.

For an action movie, it shows poor action. In fact, I don't think there was any good action part in it. The story is easily predictable even though with a mystery in it. It is awkward because they made this movie stand on the blur grey line. It's not an action but I think it's not drama either and I doubt if this is a comedy. You don't find any action sensation in it for it has so few action part which was not good at all. You also can't feel the drama because it didn't draw you to one. You may laugh for some part in this movie but not good enough, just okay. Every part of this movie was made nearly half of being good. It's like climbing a mountain but stop just in the middle and then go back. We don't even have the chance to reach the top.

Dwayne Johnson, Terry Gene and John Cena are several wrestler that I know also played in movies too. They played not bad at all especially Dwayne and I think Edge too. He maybe not acted so well but he still made his part okay. If you ever saw him wrestle, then you will notice that he surely can hide his character in the ring and show up in different character in this movie. Jamie played in many comedy movies or absurd character. He shows his experience in this movie and I think it's too bad that the story is so poor.

Such a poor ending also ruined the whole movie. The only good part of this movie is the relationship of Theo and his father. Not that well but at least gave a glimpse of color in this plain movie.